Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in the context of Arthur Sze

⭐ Core Definition: Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress

The poet laureate consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress, commonly referred to as the United States poet laureate, serves as the official poet of the United States. During their term, the poet laureate seeks to raise the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry. The position was modeled on the poet laureate of the United Kingdom. Begun in 1937, and formerly known as the consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress, the present title was devised and authorized by an Act of Congress in 1985. Appointed by the librarian of Congress, the poet laureate's office is administered by the Center for the Book. For children's poets, the Poetry Foundation awards the Young People's Poet Laureate.

The incumbent poet laureate (since 2025) is Arthur Sze. He is the first Asian American United States Poet Laureate.

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Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in the context of Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop (February 8, 1911 – October 6, 1979) was an American poet and short-story writer. She was Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1949 to 1950, the Pulitzer Prize winner for Poetry in 1956, the National Book Award winner in 1970, and the recipient of the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1976. Dwight Garner argued in 2018 that she was perhaps "the most purely gifted poet of the 20th century". She was also a painter, and her poetry is noted for its careful attention to detail; Ernest Hilbert wrote “Bishop’s poetics is one distinguished by tranquil observation, craft-like accuracy, care for the small things of the world, a miniaturist’s discretion and attention."

View the full Wikipedia page for Elizabeth Bishop

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